Surgical instrument



F. M. DUERME SURGICAL INSTRUMENT Filed May 4, 1953 fnaen?" Patented May15, 1934 UNITED `s'rzl'rlss PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in surgical instruments and moreparticularly to an instrument used for dilation purposes.

Heretofore the medical profession has been using an instrument known asa meatoscope when gynecologic and obstetrical problems confront them,but with this instrument a secondary instrument, known as a tenaculum,must be employed especially in performing intra-uterine '10 surgery.However, this work is performed more '20 and operation.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shownin the accompanyingdrawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a face view in elevation of my inv. vention, shown in closedor inoperative position. 2i. Fig. 2 is a View similar to Fig. 1 butshowing my invention in open or operative position with a portion of thehandle shown broken away.

Fig. 3 is an end view taken from the right of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken on the line 4--4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the lighting unit. Referring in detailto the drawing, the present invention comprises an outer tubular shelll, an inner cylindrical tube 2, and a lighting unit 3.

The shell 1 is provided with a handle 4 at its proximal end for holdingthe device and is tapered and curved at its distal end as shown in thedrawing. The shell 1 is cleft endwise as at 5 from the distal end toform a series of prongs 6 which are normally closed as shown in Fig. 1.One of the prongs 6 is provided at its end with a ball nib '7, the innerside of which is dat shaped as at 8 so that Y the balance of the ends ofthe prongs will abut snugly against it. The distal end will thereby be aperfectly round cylindrical end with no protrusions. The proximal end isprovided with female threads 9 on its inner surface. See Fig. 4.

The cylindrical tube 2 is slightly smaller in circumference than theshell 1, and is adapted to be inserted in the shell and is provided withmale threads 10 on its proximal end and a knurled handle l1 formanipulating the tube.

The lighting system comprises a cylindrical tube 12 provided at one endwith a small light (Cl. 12S-6) bulb 13 and at the other end with aconnector 14, adapted for the reception of a socket 15 which isconnected to a battery (not shown) through wires 16. A pair of mutuallyspaced split resilient rings 17, slightly smaller in circumference thanthe inner diameter of the tube 2, are secured tothe tube 12 and areadapted to be inserted into the cylinder 2 as shown in Fig. 4 and holdthe tube 12 rmly in position.

In assembling the device, the tube 2 is inserted 65 in the shell 1 andpartially screwed into it. The lighting unit 3 is then inserted in thetube 2 and the device is completely assembled and ready for use.

In operation, the lighting unit is carefully withdrawn from the tube toinsure against breakage. The handle 4 is then grasped firmly andinserted gently in the cervical canal of the uterus and the knurledhandle of the tube turned clockwise, thereby forcing the distal end ofthe tube against the tapered end of the shell, causing the prongs toexpand as shown in Fig. 2. This, of course, dilates the cervical canal,thus exposing the interior of the uterus. The lighting unit is thenplaced in the tube and connected to a battery. The bulb is of specialdesign adapted to throw light of great intensity, thereby illuminatingthe area exposed.

It will be seen that a secondary instrument may readily be insertedthrough the tube and the area affected treated. This, of course,eliminates any guess work as to where the alilicted area might be, dueto the presence of illumination.

To remove the instrument, the lighting unit is v 1 rst extracted and theknurled handle on the tube is turned counterclockwise, thereby allowingthe prongs to contract, and the instrument is withdrawn from the uterus.

The present invention may be put to many other sundry uses, such forinstance as examining the meatus auditorius, and meatuses of the noseand rectum, and for operating thereon as will be apparent.

It is to be understood that some of the details shown and described maybe omitted without de- 10o parting from the spirit of this invention asdened by the following claims:

I claim:

1. A surgical instrument comprising a shell, having a tapered end cleftendwise to form prongs, a tube arranged to be inserted in said shell,and cooperating means on said shell and tube for manipulating said tubeand cause said tube to rotate within said shell, said tube arranged todilate said prongs when said tube is rotated in a clock- 1`10 wisedirection and contract when moved in a counterclockwise position.

2. A surgical instrument comprising a shell having a tapered end cleftendwise to form prongs, a tube arranged to be inserted in said shell,and cooperating means on said shell and tube for manipulating said tubeand cause said tube to rotate within said shell, said tube arranged todilate said prongs when said tube is rotated in a clockwise directionand contract when movedv in a counterclockwise position, and a lightingunit arranged to be inserted in said tube.

3. A surgical instrument comprising a shell having a tapered end cleftendWise to form prongs, a tube arranged to be inserted in said shell,cooperating means on said shell and tube for manipulating said tube andcause said tube to rotate Within said shell, said tube arranged todilate said prongs when said tube is rotated in a clockwise directionand contract when moved in a counterclockwise position, a lighting unitarranged to be inserted in said tube, and a ball nib on one of saidprongs arranged to protect the ends of the other of said prongs whensaid shell is in contracted position.

4. A surgical instrument comprising a shell having a tapered end cleftendwise to form prongs, a tube arranged to be inserted in said shell,cooperating means on said shell and tube for manipulating said tube andcause said tube to rotate Within said shell, said tube arranged todilate said prongs when said tube is rotated in a clockwise directionand contract when moved in a'counterclockwise position, and a lightingunit Varranged to be inserted in said tube comprising an elongatedtubeprovided with a bulb on one end and a socket on the other endadapted to be at tached to abattery.

FRANCISCO MAYA DUERME.

